The popularity of Golden among tourists can be attributed to its unprecedented access to Canada's natural beauty. The town is located in the Rocky Mountain Trench where the Kicking Horse and Columbia rivers meet, surrounded by three mountain ranges and six national parks: Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, and Kootenay. If you love spending time in the great outdoors, here's what you need to know about traveling to Golden, BC.
When is the best time of year to visit Golden, British Columbia?
Although you can certainly expect cold weather in British Columbia, it has the mildest climate of any Canadian province and rarely experiences temperatures below zero. The peak season is July to September, when you can expect warm weather with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. In late September and October, you'll see lower hotel prices and enjoy the glorious fall foliage.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Golden, BC:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in Golden, BC. Analyze these charts to determine the cheapest dates to stay in Golden for any future trips.
What are the luxury hotels around Golden, British Columbia?
If you're planning the vacation of a lifetime in Golden and want to make sure your accommodations live up to expectations, you can select one of the area's high-end luxury hotels. Golden is home to the world-class 2,800-acre Kicking Horse Mountain Ski Resort, which boasts the fourth highest vertical drop in North America as well as a posh lodge where you can opt for a ski-in/ski-out suite with direct slope access from your room.
Winston Lodge at Kicking Horse has just 11 suites so you'll receive personalized attention and a true boutique experience. Each room is appointed with hand-crafted wood furniture, plush feather-down beds, and private balconies with expansive mountain views. For the pinnacle of relaxation, ask for a room with a whirlpool tub when you book your stay. Enjoy public amenities that include a sauna, game room, and library. Pamper yourself at the on-site spa, open seven days a week, or grab a bite at Winston Bar and Bistro, which serves high-quality pub fare highlighting fresh Canadian ingredients.
You can also enjoy a classic ski lodge experience at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge, also on the Kicking Horse Resort Property. This hotel offers classic king and queen rooms as well as one, two, and three-bedroom suites. Every guest room has a private balcony and fireplace, along with new Serta BeautyRest mattresses, satellite TV, and high-speed internet access. You'll find a sauna, steam room, and heated indoor pool on-site along with free underground parking. Pets are welcome at Glacier Mountaineer Lodge.
Where are affordable hotels near Golden, BC?
3 Star Average Prices: $169.50
If you prefer to travel on a budget, you have several great hotels to choose from in Golden. Consider the Pinewood Inn, a cozy seven-unit property with cabins that sleep between one and four guests. Each has a full kitchenette, which is ideal if you want to save money by preparing your own meals during your stay. You'll find soft, comfortable beds and clean, welcoming accommodations, along with free parking and outdoor barbecues available for use. Each room also has free high-speed wireless internet. Best of all for animal lovers, the Pinewood Inn is pet-friendly.
The Holiday Inn Express Golden is another affordable choice with high marks from previous guests, who praise the clean, well-kept, modern rooms. Amenities include free parking, free wireless internet, a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary breakfast with fresh fruit, and a heated indoor pool with a hot tub. For your convenience, each room also has a microwave.
Which hotels in Golden, BC offer the best discounts?
At the Holiday Inn Express Golden, you can access special rates for senior citizens, AAA, CAA, and AARP members, and government employees. The Prestige Inn offers 15 percent discounts for guests older than age 60 and 10 percent discounts for CAA and AAA members. At the Best Western, government and military employees, AARP members, AAA and CAA members, and senior citizens all qualify for discounted rates.
Where are the best budget hotels around Golden, British Columbia?
The Prestige Inn in Golden is often listed among the city's best hotel values thanks to its combination of sought-after amenities at an affordable price. Enjoy an on-site indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, a fitness center, and free wireless internet at this convenient location just a 15-minute drive from Kicking Horse Resort. The Prestige Inn also provides guests with endless fun since you can borrow beach toys, bikes, and board games during your stay.
The Best Western Mountainview Inn is another property that consistently ranks among the best places to stay in Golden along with affordable room rates. The spacious rooms offer free wireless internet and guests can take advantage of a free hot breakfast. This pet-friendly property has a refreshing indoor pool, modern lobby, and warm, welcoming staff.
Which attractions should we be sure to visit in Golden, BC?
If you want to ski, Kicking Horse Resort more than delivers with 137 runs ranging from Beginner to Expert, not to mention tubing, snowmobiling, ice skating, downhill mountain biking in season, and unprecedented backcountry access for hikers and those who have some facility with snowshoes. If you're not much for winter sports, you can visit one of several lodges throughout the expansive property for shopping and dining galore.
Those looking for a memorable photo opp should stop by the wooden Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the width of the Kicking Horse River. At 151 feet across, it's Canada's largest all-wood pedestrian bridge and was built by the town through a community effort in 2001.
Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre provides a 25-minute guided tour that emphasizes the historical and cultural importance of wolves and their place in the regional ecosystem. They promote wolf conservation through education and house several wolves from rescue organizations. You can catch a glimpse of these majestic animals in a large outdoor enclosure on-site, and even sign up for a special tour where you can walk through the woods with the wolves.
Beer lovers can't miss a stop at Whitetooth Brewing Company, where you can take local craft beers to-go or enjoy a flight of four tastings at the bar. They are open from 2 to 10 p.m., seven days a week and currently offer West Coast-influenced, high-gravity, and Belgian-inspired selections.
Of course, it's not a trip to Golden, BC without spending time in at least one of the six national parks within shouting distance of the city. Yoho National Park is the third-oldest addition to Canada's national park system and was established in 1886. Hiking is the best way to experience Yoho's incredible natural beauty, including the shimmering turquoise waters of Emerald Lake and Lake O-Hara, which can only be accessed on foot. There are 400 kilometers of hiking trails, at least 28 mountain peaks, more than 61 total bodies of water, and several waterfalls including one of the highest in the nation.
Glacier National Park is Canada's second-oldest national park and is distinguished by Rogers Pass, a national historic site and one of the fundamental aspects of the country's oldest transportation system. Today, Rogers Pass is a must-visit ski destination. The park is also home to one of the largest cave systems in Canada.
Banff, Canada's first national park, spans an incredible 2,564 square miles of terrain including meadows, lakes, mountains, valleys, and so much more. Mt. Revelstoke National Park is best known for its breathtaking displays of wildflowers every August, which actually led locals to rally for the protection of the land and the creation of the park in 1914. Its landscape is incredibly varied, with everything from rainforest to mountains to ancient trees. As a bonus, this park boasts one of the world's most renowned natural ski jumps.
At Jasper National Park, explore more than 1,000 kilometers of trails, stunning mountain views, and abundant wildlife. Visiting this park gives you the chance to glimpse elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, coyotes, wolves, beavers, porcupines, cougars, and so much more. Kootenay National Park is distinguished by its contrasting landscapes, from ice-filled rivers to steaming hot springs. You'll never forget the sight of this park's dramatic canyons and steep, towering waterfalls.
If you have always wanted to experience the best of Canada's hiking and outdoor adventures, there's no better place to stay than Golden. With a quaint small-town feel and access to some of the most incredible natural resources and parks that Canada has to offer, Golden is just begging to be the site of your next weekend getaway or long awaited recharge. And whether you are traveling on a shoestring budget or you want to have a posh vacation, Golden, BC has accommodations ranging from comfortable chain properties to romantic bed and breakfasts to iconic ski lodges. It's easy to find the perfect hotel for your group of adventurers.
FAQs about hotels in Golden